Early History

Initially the Baptist denomination shared the building with the Methodists. Later they erected this building on the corner of 4th and Nebraska. The group disbanded and the structure was abandoned for many years before it was torn down.

Buckingham (where Henggeler Packing is located) was the location the railroad planners had selected for a townsite. But just a couple miles away, the Zellars, A.B. Moss, and the Brainard Brothers were busy laying out a townsite of their own called Zellar’s Crossing. The town had access to irrigation,and the railroad. Lots were donated to the Brethren and Methodists, perhaps to lure residents to locate there.

When the area transitioned from livestock to orchards, a family was able to make a living with less acreage. This brought neighbors closer together and created more of a sense of community. Early pioneers included Joseph Carnefix, Charles Henggeler (whose home is pictured) I.V. Limbaugh, F.H. Hogue, and B.F. Tussing.

Early settlers came to Southwestern Idaho in the early 1800s, but it was not until almost 100 years later that a number of people began inhabiting the area, first with livestock and then with fruit orchards.

The original townsite was 160 acres, homesteaded by John Hall in 1897. Most of the area was planted in orchards of apples and plums. Irrigation water from the Payette River was provided from the Farmers Cooperative Ditch, constructed in 1892-93. Several calamities plagued this effort, but with hard work, perseverance and A.B. Moss taking our a personal loan, the effort finally succeeded.

The  Fruitland State Bank was in business from 1909-1923 and featured a public water pump as well as a trough for  watering horses. The bank closed prior to the Great Depressionand the building

housed Leonard’s Grocery & Apothecary Shop for many years. Today it is home to  many antique train sets in Doug’s Play Room.

In 1928 the high school was built to meet the demands of the growing community. A 1939 addition included a new gymnasium and classroom. It later became the middle school. Don & Konnie Baines (along with 6 other board  members) were instrumental in keeping the historic building from being demolished and in maintaining it for several years. TVCA purchased and renovated the building in 2018.

The Fruitland Methodists held a dedication for their new building on June 27, 1909. An invitation was extended to  all the denominations in the area with a special rail car running from Payette to Fruitland. A round-trip ticket  was 25 cents. The first bell  placed in the steeple had previously been the bell used at Pleasant Valley School.

The Elementary School operated from 1909-until the early 60’s and was located at the city park location until it was torn down. In 1999 the City of Fruitland erected the gazebo in the city park, which is a replica of  the school’s bell tower.

After the loss of his first wife and infant child, M.B. Sherman remarried and realized his dream of building a castle, which overlooked the Snake River at NW 1st Street and Vista Ave. The Sherman  family dwelt there for almost 40 years. The castle was abandoned in 1940 due to Mr. Sherman’s declining health. In 1949 the new owners razed the building.

In the late 1930’s a piece of orchard property owned by Peterson Orchards was to sold to Warren Dorothy. He and his wife developed this corner property into a thriving business knows as Gayway Dance Hall. Country- Western bands played at this popular night spot until the late 40’s. Professional wrestling took over the building until it was purchased in 1953 by George Vaughn. Gayway Bowl opened Christmas day of that year and automatic pinsetters were added in 1956.  

Stegner Grain, along with several other proprietors, built stores on Pennsylvania Avenue starting in 1906. The town began to grow, and by 1909 the center of commerce had shifted  to 3rd Street and Iowa  Ave.

Stegner Grain, along with several other proprietors, built stores on Pennsylvania Avenue starting in 1906. The town began to grow, and by 1909 the center of commerce had shifted to 3rd Street and Iowa  Ave.

The store provided groceries, hardware and feed, with Eugene “Gene” Stegner becoming the first Postmaster in 1910. The post office boxes were located in the  rear of the store

Alexander Graham Bell patented his telephone invention in 1875. Telephone operators were used from 1878 (in Boston) through the 1960s to connect calls to the appropriate party. FMTC used this system until 1956 when manual operators were replaced with a direct dialing system.

Stegner Grain led the way for many other businesses in the early 1900’s. The Mohler’s Mercantile Building is still standing on the corner of Iowa and 3rd Street. The exterior of the brick building has had a few modifications. The stairway was moved from the back of the building to side and the crumbling brick was overlaid with stone at the base of the building. 

The railroad and industry coming to Fruitland brought progress. Gardner’s Drug Store and Fruitland State Bank followed Stegner Grain in developing the downtown business area. The main street (SW 3rd Street) was dirt and was part of Idaho’s North and South Highway (Hwy 95) until it was bypassed in 1984. 

Gardner’s Drug, owned by Grant Gardner, stood on the corner of 3rd and Minnesota. In a town without a doctor, Mr. Gardner was often consulted for medical advice. Besides his pharmacy business, he also sold cosmetics and beauty supplies, notions, items for travelers, and had a soda fountain with a long counter and swiveling stools.

The growth of the area led to the development of downtown and services for the local residents. The downtown businesses included Gardner Drug, Stegner Grain, Mohler’s Mercantile and Universal Motors. This is a view of the town about 1910 facing Northwest.

Universal Motor Company and Garage was built in 1918 by Ben Thomas and George Franks and had two Union gasoline pumps plus water and air hoses along the curb of the sidewalk. One of the storefront bays opened to the showroom and garage.

The two lane bridge was constructed in 1927 and spanned the Payette River until it was replaced in 2011. With a 4 lane bridge. The original bridge was deeded to Payette County and is the current site of Rudy Park.

Before the steel wagon bridge was built across the Snake River in 1905, one could cross only by ferry. Fruitland was privileged, in 1914, to be put on the state highway system between Boise, Payette, and northern Idaho. At that time wagons were used to gravel the streets. 

Benjamin Tussing was a visionary and incorporated the mechanical apple sizer in his shed. This sped up production  tremendously. He also developed  the school boy-sized apple and broke away  from the individually tissue wrapped apples and sold them by the bag.

Tussing owned  the first packing shed and was the largest employer in the area. This crew was photographed around 1912. Benjamin Franklin Tussing was influential in laying out the town as well as promoting the area for future businesses and growers.

Fruitland’s population at the time the Tussings built their house was 970 people. The population declined and had 573 people in the early 50’s. Since 1950 the population has increased by about 1000%.

The  Payette Valley Railroad ran the “Pumpkin Vine Loop” through Payette, Fruitland New Plymouth, Emmett, Horseshoe Bend, Cascade and eventually McCall. In addition to the fruit industry it serviced the logging industry lumber mills. It also carried the mail and had room for passengers.

The Payette Valley Railroad would pick up passengers at the depot as well as in route. Elsie Schmid would walk out the front door of her farmhouse east of  Fruitland and catch the train to Payette where she taught school. The depot was located on the east end of 3rd Street until it was demolished in the late 1970’s.

One room school houses were common during the late 1800s. Pleasant View School taught students from 1st-8th grade. The building also served as a gathering place for the farm families in the area.

March 29, 1948